HARRISON, N.J. – With an eye towards the CONCACAF Champions League, the New York Red Bulls made the decision to field a reserve-filled lineup for their home opener against one of the best from the west.

The gamble paid off, in a way few observers could have seen coming.

The Red Bulls won their first game of the 2018 season, thrashing reigning MLS MVP Diego Valeri and the Portland Timbers, 4-0, on a cold night at Red Bull Arena. The lopsided victory was impressive and stunning on its own, but what made the result even more noteworthy was that New York used mostly backups in the rout.

Resting most of his regular starters for Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals second leg vs. Club Tijuana, Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch opted to tap into his squad’s depth against the Timbers. It looked as if Marsch was okay with sacrificing the MLS game, as the New York lineup included several unproven youngsters like teenage midfielder Ben Mines and...

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